Sakai, Metropolitan hub in Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Sakai is a large city in Osaka Prefecture that spans seven wards and borders the greater Osaka metropolitan area directly. The city connects residential neighborhoods with commercial districts and historical sites spread across an extended urban landscape.
The port grew into a major trading hub during the feudal era, receiving goods from across Asia. The city expanded around craft workshops that specialized in producing knives and tools.
Residents use traditional workshops where craftsmen forge and sharpen kitchen knives following old methods. These shops often sit on quiet streets where visitors can watch the work at the anvil through display windows.
Several train lines link the city to central Osaka and surrounding areas, with regular services running throughout the day. Many points of interest sit within walking distance of stations, making it easy to move around on foot or by bicycle.
The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group includes 44 burial mounds from the Kofun period, built between the third and seventh centuries. Emperor Nintoku's tomb covers an area of roughly 46 hectares (114 acres), forming the largest such complex worldwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
